Grovers on a 2016 Les Paul.

grimlyflick · Mar 4, 2018

I’ve looked on the Gibson website for information on these machineheads but there doesn’t appear to be a whole heap of information.

Does anyone else find they lack any kind of sensitivity and generally unresponsive. I find you have to turn them alot before they do anything and are nowhere near as responsive as the Klusons on my other Les Paul or the vintage style machineheads on my Tele.

I don’t have any nut issues, I had my tech open the nut slots for 11s and I don’t get any pings when I tune. My old Sig T had these machineheads and they were fine on there, has anything changed with these machines between 2013 and 2016? I thinking of changing them out for something else.

Thoughts?

Xpensive Wino · Mar 4, 2018

grimlyflick said:
I’ve looked on the Gibson website for information on these machineheads but there doesn’t appear to be a whole heap of information.

Does anyone else find they lack any kind of sensitivity and generally unresponsive. I find you have to turn them alot before they do anything and are nowhere near as responsive as the Klusons on my other Les Paul or the vintage style machineheads on my Tele.

I don’t have any nut issues, I had my tech open the nut slots for 11s and I don’t get any pings when I tune. My old Sig T had these machineheads and they were fine on there, has anything changed with these machines between 2013 and 2016? I thinking of changing them out for something else.

Thoughts?

I've had several LPs Grovered. Nowt wrong with any of them, and I always found them solid and reliable. Plus I like the fact that they won't need new tips later.

Maybe swap the ones you have on for a different set. I think there've been changes (as well as different models) in Groverdom over the years.

Dperalta · Mar 4, 2018

I have 2 2017s with locking Grovers. they work so well I'm considering replacing the Klusons on my '96 with a set.

David

Big Al · Mar 5, 2018

The high gear ratio means finer, more accurate tuning. More turns needed.

El Gringo · Mar 5, 2018

I have them on my LPC and a Martin D-41 and they are the best most reliable gear out there .

Big Al · Mar 5, 2018

Yup, they are one of the best. Proven, reliable and last forever.

grimlyflick · Mar 5, 2018

So my understanding is the higher the ratio the more you have to turn the machinehead to make fine adjustments?

Maybe I prefer a lower ratio, less turn more tuning?

Big Al · Mar 6, 2018

grimlyflick said:
So my understanding is the higher the ratio the more you have to turn the machinehead to make fine adjustments?

Maybe I prefer a lower ratio, less turn more tuning?

Just turn it more and get in tune. You'll turn it just as much, or more, with low ratio trying to get in tune.

Zentar · Mar 6, 2018

grimlyflick said:
So my understanding is the higher the ratio the more you have to turn the machinehead to make fine adjustments?

Maybe I prefer a lower ratio, less turn more tuning?

Correct.
I prefer 14:1 but we all have our preferences. Get what you like.
I like a lightweight LP and Grover locking tuners weigh 4 ozs more than Kluzon pearl button tuners.

Big Al · Mar 6, 2018

Yup, that 4 ounces is a back breaker. Didn't see where the op said locking Grovers.

Zentar · Mar 6, 2018

Big Al said:
Yup, that 4 ounces is a back breaker. Didn't see where the op said locking Grovers.

I don't recall asking you what he said.

Big Al · Mar 6, 2018

Look at you being all big boy now. I learn a long time ago not to ask dumb asses anything.:hee

grimlyflick · Mar 6, 2018

Big Al said:
Yup, that 4 ounces is a back breaker. Didn't see where the op said locking Grovers.

:lol

I think I may just persevere for now, I'm not sure I can deal with such a drastic loss in weight and tone if I switch to 14:1 Klusons.
:hee

renderit · Mar 6, 2018

I really like Grovers on some guitars. It adds to the sustain chain and the tuning just feels nicer. On this critter they sing like angels.

grimlyflick · Mar 6, 2018

renderit said:
I really like Grovers on some guitars. It adds to the sustain chain and the tuning just feels nicer. On this critter they sing like angels.

That is one damn fine looking LP.
:salude

Big Al · Mar 6, 2018

grimlyflick said:
:lol

I think I may just persevere for now, I'm not sure I can deal with such a drastic loss in weight and tone if I switch to 14:1 Klusons.
:hee

The way the ratio works is turns of knob to equal one full turn of the post. So a 18:1 ratio means 18 full turns of the knob equals one full turn of the post. If you do not employ a string winder when restringing you will crank away FOREVER!!:laugh2:

Once strung up, I think you will find that the greater precision afforded by the higher ratio offsets any inconvenience over extra crankage incurred however. Especialy if, like me, you use a strobe tuner for greater precise tuning.

I guess some may choose a lower, less precise gear ratio and old school tuners or even pitch pipes. However if, like me, tuning and being in tune is important, especially for setting intonation, its benefits are clear with greater precision.

Zentar makes a point about weight and for some it is important. Much discussed and greatly misunderstood. I have found that tone always improves when I have replaced light tuners with heavier ones. The change in tone is to my liking. Not everyone agrees but good news is you can get high ratio lightweight tuners if that is your preference.

Just choosing lightweight components with the aim of getting some anorexic BBB lightweight gives just that, a lightweight. I want sonic girth not pithy almost tone. If a particular weight component gives the sonic result you prefer, pursue it. If you are just weight obsessed, you have my sympathy. :teeth

Big Al · Mar 6, 2018

renderit said:
I really like Grovers on some guitars. It adds to the sustain chain and the tuning just feels nicer. On this critter they sing like angels.

Ren, I've owned a whole lots of guitars and those Jrs, just like that are exceptional guitars. Plug that into a 59/60 Bassman and your world will change.

grimlyflick · Mar 6, 2018

Big Al said:
If you are just weight obsessed, you have my sympathy. :teeth

:biggrin:

In all seriousness, the weight/tone thing actually never crossed my mind. It’s more a case that the Grovers on my 2016 Standard don’t feel as precise or positive as my other guitars and the Klusons on my Classic. Maybe it’s more down to a quality issue as opposed to ratio. I’m guessing a quality 14:1 machinehead would feel just as precise, if not more than a lesser quality 18:1.

Is there an acknowledged drop off of quality of newer Grovers these days? :hmm

Zentar · Mar 6, 2018

Big Al said:
Look at you being all big boy now. I learn a long time ago not to ask dumb asses anything.:hee

Your OCD is showing.

Big Al · Mar 7, 2018

grimlyflick said:
:biggrin:

In all seriousness, the weight/tone thing actually never crossed my mind. It’s more a case that the Grovers on my 2016 Standard don’t feel as precise or positive as my other guitars and the Klusons on my Classic. Maybe it’s more down to a quality issue as opposed to ratio. I’m guessing a quality 14:1 machinehead would feel just as precise, if not more than a lesser quality 18:1.

Is there an acknowledged drop off of quality of newer Grovers these days? :hmm

Check the adjustable tension screw at the knob. If too loose it will feel sloppy. Tighten to gain a more precise feel.

Grovers on a 2016 Les Paul.

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